Selection Criteria

Selection Procedure for International Designated Events

By registering for an international competition in RailStation, you are confirming your intent to attend this competition if you are selected on the selection date after the entry deadline. Athletes will not be asked to confirm their status after being selected; their initial interest in the competition is seen as their intent to attend the competition.

Eligibility for entry in a World Cup is determined by the USFA point standings as of the USFA entry deadline. Entry deadlines for each weapon and for each international competition are listed in each weapon chapter (7-12) of the Athlete Handbook and posted HERE. The selection date is normally the day after the entry deadline. Results that change the point standings between the selection deadline and the competition have no effect on the selection.  

In order to compete in Junior and Senior World Cups, Senior Grand Prix, Satellite or non-designated competitions athletes must be a current competitive member (expiration date July 31, 2012 or later) and have a valid FIE License (2011-2012). FIE licenses can only be ordered through the USFA; click HERE for the FIE License Application. There is an annual charge of $60 for the FIE License, payable to the USFA.  The FIE License includes a one year subscription to the FIE quarterly magazine, Escrime. Fencers must have signed and submitted the signature page of the current USFA Code of Conduct to the National Office.

ELIGIBILITY – A Fencer will be considered for entry in competitions IF##

S –Senior Point Standings                J – Junior Point Standings C – Cadet Point Standings

To be considered “on the point standings”, Fencers must have at least 275, 165, or 110 pts (senior, junior, cadet respectively) of which there is at least one 32^nd place result.

## Athletes who do not meet the standards described in the table may enter a competition if approved by the National Weapon Coach and the High Performance Director.

For World Cup competitions organized by the USFA the number of entries allowed is:
Junior World Cup         up to 30 fencers plus additional to make up the pools.
Senior World Cup        up to 30 fencers plus additional to make up the pools
Grand Prix                   8 plus an additional 12 fencers plus up to 20 to make up the pools

Entry Procedures
Entries will only be accepted ONLINE through RailStation by the entry deadline for each international competition.   This entry does not guarantee that the fencer will be selected for the competition.  Deadlines are published in the Athlete Handbook in the relevant weapons chapter (7-12), on the USFA Website and RailStation for each international competition.  Deadlines are usually 30 days prior to the competition or the Monday closest to 30 days, whichever is earlier or 6 weeks prior to an international competition in a country to which athletes must obtain a visa.   All entries must be received by the posted deadlines no later than 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

When fencers register for an international competition in RailStation, they are stating that they will compete in this competition, if selected.  Withdrawals must be received no later than the entry deadline for that competition.  

Withdrawing from an International Competition: Any fencer who must withdraw from an international competition must do so by email to International@USFencing.org by the entry deadline date. Fencers withdrawing after the deadline or who do not compete in the competition will be fined $2500.  Until payment of fine is received, the athlete will not be entered in any other international competition or tournament. Exceptions to this fine may be considered if the fencer is a “no show” due to force majeure or an injury or illness that prevents the fencer from competing.  All relevant and/or medical documentation must be sent by email to International@USFencing.org within 24 hours of the start of the competition. Failure to do so will result in the above mentioned fine of $2500.

Finalizing the Entries
The point standings the day after the entry deadline will determine the list of fencers and alternates. Results that change the point standings between the deadline and the competition will not affect the selection.  Notification of selection will be sent by email to all fencers who have entered online and to the respective national coaches.  It is the fencer’s responsibility to notify the national office or update their membership profile of his or her most current email address.

If an alternate spot for the individual international competition becomes available the first alternate will be notified by email within 24 hours. Athlete so notified must reply within the same day. If no reply is received by email, the next alternate will be notified. 

Members of the team which will compete at a World Cup team competition are selected from the list of accepted athletes by the National Weapon Coach in conjunction with the High Performance Director within five business days after the selection date. Athletes will be notified accordingly.

Upon acceptance to a Junior World Cup or Cadet Designated, athletes must submit a Squad Fee of $100 online through RailStation within one week of notification. This fee is required to compete in each International competition and is used to defray the cost for referees to those International competitions or pay the fine assessed by International Federations when USFA cannot send an International referee. Failure to make payment will be taken as a withdrawal with related fine imposed and the next alternate will be notified.

Cadet International Competitions: Cadet Rolling point standings will be used for selection of Cadet fencers for the first two International Cadet competitions; after which, the Team point standings will be in effect.  A maximum of 15 fencers will be accepted for Cadet Designated International competitions.

Junior International Competitions: Junior Rolling point standings will be used for selection of fencers for the first two Junior World Cup competitions, after which the Team point standings will be in effect.  A maximum of 12 fencers are allowed by the FIE for Junior World Cup competitions. Fencers on the Junior point standings will have priority over fencers who are only on the Cadet point standings. 

Senior International Competitions: Senior Rolling point standings will be used to determine which fencers are accepted at the specified entry deadline for Senior World Cup or Grand Prix competitions for the first four Senior competitions; after which the Senior Team point standings will be used. Fencers on the senior point standings will have priority in selection over fencers who are only on the Junior point standings.   Members of the Olympic team plus any replacement athlete will have priority in selection for last four Senior International competitions.  A maximum of 12 fencers are allowed for Senior World Cup competitions and a maximum of 8 fencers are allowed for Grand Prix. (FIE Rules, o.79)

[source: 2011-2012 Athlete Handbook, Chapter 5]

For questions or comments contact international@usfencing.org